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Mother’s Day: The Mom of a Savior

Mother's Day : The Mom of a Savior, created in Adobe SparkThe moment He took His first breath, I became His mother. And I celebrated my first mother’s day.

Overjoyed with my child. My baby boy.

A newborn placed in my arms. My life forever altered.

Swaddled by cloths, though adorned with royal titles.

Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel (God now with me). The Ancient of Days.

Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead.

Power demonstrated years later when He cast out evil spirits and raised the dead.

As I gazed intently at Him, the goodness and greatness of God spilled out.

Mother’s Day for a New Mom

I studied every feature.

His eyes. They gazed into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth as He yawned and cried. Life-giving words were later spoken by Him. Words commanding even the winds and waves to obey.

I laid my hand on His chest. The rise and fall of breaths ladened with grace. A strong heartbeat surfaced. But the day arrived when His heart—broken and betrayed—offered forgiveness.

Wrapping my fingers around His tiny hands. Hands that grew and comforted, extended healing, and restored sight. His hands stretched out to give hope, peace, and life—pierced on a wooden cross.

Mothers always inspect feet. (Yes, five toes on each one.) His were beautiful. I’d felt them kicking inside me.

Mother's Day : The Mom of a Savior, created in Adobe SparkA baby’s feet are precious. Stare-worthy. His feet walked on water, were anointed with perfume, and pierced by nails.

I drew the Christ-child to my chest in a snuggled embrace. Yet, His embrace offers more warmth and security than any earthly mother bestows.

How ironic I nursed Him to sustain physical life, whereas He is the bread of life.

Mother’s Day for the Mom of Jesus

I delighted in watching Him grow. There was no one like Jesus: His smile, His voice, His presence, and His spirit. He possessed great compassion, humility, love, and tenderness.

But it wasn’t always easy being His mother. Not understanding His life or grasping my son’s love and mission.

And with a mangled heart, I sobbed at the foot of the cross. Why, son? What greater purpose could mend this mother’s broken heart?

. . . though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11 ESV.)

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Philippians 2 #Jesus #mother Click To Tweet

Jesus. A baby placed in my arms at birth, then a manger. A God-man placed on a cross to die for me.

Raised to life, He took His place seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father.

Mother's Day : The Mom of a Savior, created in Adobe SparkMother’s Day for Us

We only speculate on Mary’s thoughts.

But I’m blessed with a daughter and son, proud of Megan and Caleb, and love them in every way. I wear the name tag of mother-in-law to a wonderful man, Tyler.

Also, I bear the title “Mimi” to my grandson, Foster. Oh, and a sweet baby girl is on her way in July. Yay for me and grandmothers everywhere!

Yet, I lost a baby in utero. One day I’ll see that child in heaven.

So, whether Mother’s Day brings fond memories or sad ones. Whether the occasion causes joy or pain.

Or the celebration reminds us of void and loss in our childhood or today. Whatever our “mom” status this Mother’s Day.

God remains our heavenly Father. He not only celebrates motherhood with us, but He also heals all hurt.

There's a place in our heart for the Savior. For His first breath of grace. Our life forever altered. #Savior #mother Click To Tweet

Images or design created in Adobe Spark.

Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:

Jaime Wiebel/#SittingAmongFriends, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Kelly Balarie/Purposeful Faith, Patricia Holbrook/Soaring With Him, Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire & Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement.

© 2018 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved

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May 10, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized


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Mother’s Day is a very special day in our family. This year, we celebrate our daughter-in-love, who will be celebrating her first Mother’s Day. Grandson Rowan is 9 months old. We are truly blessed by the Mother’s in our lives.

Karen says:

That’s great, Melissa. It’s special around here but also a bit heartbreaking in some ways. Mothers and grandmothers are special roles and I never want to take it lightly. Thanks for sharing. Happy Mother’s Day!

Yvonne Morgan says:

Sometimes we forget to see Mary at that moment, her new son laying in her arms. A good time to remember for Mother’s Day.

Karen says:

True, Yvonne. And what Mary’s life must have been like as Jesus fulfilled His destiny by suffering and dying. We can’t even imagine. Yet, she was blessed to carry the Savior and be His mother. Thanks for commenting.

Becky Smith says:

Very inspiring! I’ve always stopped to thank God for being a mom, and for the moms in my life, as well as the ones who have never been a mom. But I haven’t really thought about Mary on Mother’s Day. The song “Mary, Did You Know” has always blessed me, but I ponder more on her at Christmastime. Your post made me feel like I was looking through her eyes! Thank you for inspiring us!

Karen says:

Becky, I surmise we all do the same thing. Only think of Mary and Jesus’ birth at Christmas. And we can’t begin to imagine what she experienced as the mother to the Messiah. Yet, we know Scripture tells us she pondered (treasured) all these things in her heart. Appreciate your kind words and for commenting. I hope you have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Love this post! Mother’s Day and Christmas. And Mary as a model mother. Thank you! God bless!
Happy Mother’s Day!

Karen says:

Mary modeled so many things well for us. Before Jesus was born and after. She certainly is to be called “Blessed.” Thanks for commenting, Nancy! And Happy Mother’s Day!

How sweetly written… I think motherhood is pretty much bittersweet for all. But how much harder for Jesus’ mother, who at the time probably loved him most, who understood his innocence best.

Happy mother’s day 🙂

Karen says:

Thanks, Christina. Mary would have loved Him most and understood His innocence best. Wonderful soul-stirring thought. Appreciate you sharing. Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Paul Zunker says:

I love your style of writing Karen and for the different way to look at Mary. Sometimes we get so caught up in looking at the people in the Bible that we forget that they were still PEOPLE! Same struggles, fears and joys that we have today. Thanks for bringing this perspective in your post.

Karen says:

Isn’t that the truth, Paul. They were flesh and blood. Except for Jesus, the God-man. I get teary and goose bumps thinking about this perspective that might have been Mary’s, “As I gazed intently at Him, the goodness and greatness of God spilled out.” Oh, my! The Savior of the world! And Mary was chosen as His mother. Blessings! Thanks for commenting!

Ahhh… being a mom is the best thing ever! I am completely humbled by this gift of parenting that God blessed me with. Glad to see that you are, too!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Lisa Q

Karen says:

That’s great, Lisa. Me too! Happy Mother’s Day!

Karen, I loved reading this—picturing from Mary’s perspective. You have such a gift.
Happy Mother’s Day, sweet friend!

Karen says:

Awe, thank you, Beckie. I enjoy thinking about how Mary may have had the same thoughts we moms do when handed a newborn baby. Observing every move and feature. And the elated feeling of giving life. We “know” He IS the giver of life eternal. Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Thank you for the beautiful musings on Mary’s thoughts. And thanks for sharing these uplifting thoughts on Mother’s Day, Mimi. Happy Mother’s Day!

Karen says:

Melinda, I’m grateful for all my blessings this Mother’s Day. And for the birth of Jesus and His blood that never loses its power. Happy Mother’s Day to you! Appreciate you commenting! 🙂

Kristi Ann says:

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY <3 ( https://kristiann1.com/2015/05/08/hmd/ ) <3

Love <3 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/

Kristi Ann

Karen says:

Thanks, Kristi Ann. Love and blessings in the name of our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ.

Sherry Stahl says:

Karen,

I love the image about Jesus feet. I pinned it 🙂 Wonderful to see some of your beautiful family. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo

Karen says:

Thank you, Sherry. I love reflecting on how Mary might have felt and her experiences as Jesus’ mother. I did have a great Mother’s Day. Appreciate your comment. Blessings!

Lesley says:

This is a beautiful post, Karen! I love this different take on a Mother’s Day post. Hope you had a lovely day!

Karen says:

Lesley, Thank you and I appreciate you reading and commenting. The birth of Jesus certainly was the first day as a mother for Mary. And all that unfolded in the next 33 years must have been treasured by her, but heart-breaking at Calvary’s cross.

Kristi Ann says:

Thanks so much Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Karen!! God Bless you Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Karen and Your Family members and Friends!!

Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💜💕 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Jesus-Yeshua Christ for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!

Love ❤ Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/

Kristi Ann

Karen says:

Thanks, Kristi. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Boma says:

Hope you had a blessed Mother’s Day Karen! We can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary, having to watch Jesus, God Himself, as a baby. Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you.

Karen says:

Thanks so much, Boma. I did have a great celebration of motherhood. Yes, sometimes we only think about Mary and Jesus at Christmas. Yet, Mary became a mother the moment Jesus was born and took His first breath. And now we have His first breath of grace available to us…breathing new life into our souls. Blessings to you!

Rebecca Jones says:

So beautiful, Karen. The thought of being Mary is something we can barely imagine. i don’t think she realized what she would go through, but she went through it with Him like we do, He was her savior too.

Karen says:

Thank you, Becky. And I love your words, “…she went through it with Him like we do….” That’s right. He is with us every step of the way as mothers, as wives, as women, and as His followers. Blessings!

[…] Mother’s Day post last year looked at Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Mother’s Day: The Mom of a […]

This was refreshing. I loved reading (imagining) Mary’s words about her Son and the special relationship she had with Him as His mother. Make’s me wonder if there really were artifacts of some sort that recorded some of Mary’s heart for her Son. What a treasure that would be. Thank you for sitting us down with her some 2,000 years ago. I enjoyed the adventure. (And you have a beautiful, blessed family.)

Karen says:

Thank you, Stephen. I love to imagine what thoughts and emotions Mary experienced at Jesus’ birth and all throughout His life. And artifacts would be a treasure. I’ve always loved what Luke tells us after all the details about the birth of Jesus. “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, ESV.

This is beautiful, Karen! It’s a lovely meditation on Mary, that most blessed of all women among us! Nice to consider her on this holiday, too, rather than only at Christmastime!

Karen says:

Thank you, Melinda. I do like to reflect on Mary’s heart at other times besides Christmas. And part of this piece is a Mary monologue I’ve performed at Christmas and other times during the year.

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